Trouser leg protectors



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16, 1961 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Sept. 4, 1962 1.. DIAMOND TROUSER LEG PROTECTORS Filed Feb. 16, 1961 3,052,044 TROUSER LEG PRUTECTORS Louis Diamond, 201 W. 79th St, Hotel Lucerne, New York, N.Y. Filed Feb. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 90,905 3 Claims. (Cl. 36-22) This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 37,320, filed June 20, 1960, entitled Trouser Leg Protector, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to the field of trouser leg protectors, and more particularly to an improved device of this class especially adapted for use in conjunction with a coat-type garment, such as a raincoat, or the like. Devices of this type are generally known in the art, and the invention lies in the specific constructional details of the embodiment disclosed.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved trouser leg protector which may be of relatively rigid construction, and capable of maintaining a shape corresponding to that of the trouser leg which it encloses.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved trouser leg protector in which the trouser engaging element may be stored against the inner surface of a raincoat or similar article of apparel when not in use, and which may be immediately readied for installation upon a trouser leg when required.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a trouser leg protector of the class described in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved means for interconnecting the trouser leg protector to the inner surface of the raincoat with which it is used, so that the same may be readily detached when in a moist condition to dry before being reattached to the raincoat.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved strap element for supporting the trouser leg protector at a plurality of spaced points, whereby the same may conform to the orientation of the trouser leg with which it is used.

A feature of the invention lies in the employment of stiffening means employed in the trouser-enclosing element in such manner as to lend natural fold lines to the same when in disengaged condition.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in persepective of an embodiment of the invention, showing the same in use upon the legs of a wearer.

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective showing a symmetrical pair of devices embodying the invention in stored condition within the confines of a raincoat or similar article.

FIGURE 3 is a similar view in perspective showing the trouser-enclosing elements in position ready for engagement by the trousered leg of a wearer.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 4-4 in FIGURE 2.

Patented Sept. 4, 1962 FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 5 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 66 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a second embodiment of the invention in use upon the leg of a wearer.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing the second embodiment in detached condition.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 9-9 in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane Iii-10 in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing the storing of a folded device in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the mounting of a stored device within the coat of a wearer.

In accordance with the invention, the first embodiment thereof comprises a pair of symmetrical devices 10, shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, in installed condition with respect to a raincoat or other garment 11. As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the devices 10 are positioned directly beneath the arm openings 12 of the garment 11. The devices are substantially similar, and accordingly, a detailed description of one of said devices will serve equally well to describe the other.

Each of the devices 10 includes a first strap element 13, a second strap element 14, a trouser-enclosing element 15, and a third strap element 16.

The first strap element 13 may be formed of any suit able material, as for example webbing, synthetic resinous material, leather, or the like. It includes a first strap member 17 having an upper terminal 18 interconnected by stitch means 19 or a safety pin (not shown) to the inner surface 20 of the garment 11. The lower end 21 thereof is provided with a snap fastener '22. A second strap member 23 includes an upper end 24 folded upon itself to form a loop 25 engaging a buckle 26 which permits the loop 25 to be slidably adjustable with respect to the first strap member 17. The lower end 27 of the second strap member 23 is provided with a snap fastener 28.

The second strap element 14 is selectively interconnectable with the first strap element 13, and includes a central strap member 30 having an upper end 31 provided with a snap fastener 32. The lower end 33 thereof is secured to the trouser encasing element 15, by stitch means 34. symmetrically arranged side strap members 35 and 36 include upper ends 37 and 38, respectively, which are interconnected with the central member 30. The lower ends 39 and 40 are interconnected to the trouser-enclosing element 15 in spaced relation, as best seen in FIGURE 3.

The trouser-enclosing element 15 is preferably formed from planar synthetic resinous material such as vinyl, although where desired, relatively stiffer materials such as cellulose acetate, oilcloth and the like may also be employed. It is of generally tubular configuration, and is bounded by an upper edge 45, a lower edge 46, a leading or forward fold edge 47 and a trailing or rear fold edge 40. A plurality of horizontal stiffening members 49, preferably of mylar or the like, are incorporated into the upper and lower edges, and at generally equidistant points therebetween. A similar plurality of vertical stiffening members 50 are also provided, the same being integrated to the inner and outer panels 42 and 43, respectively, by cover members 51 and stitch means 52. In the alternative, the stiffening members may be interconnected by heat sealing where compatible materials are employed. At the lower edge 46 there is provided a snap o e a fastener 54 selectively engageable with the snap fastener 22 of the element 13.

The third strap element 16 is generally horizontally disposed, the first end 55 and second end 56 thereof being interconnected by stitch means 57 to the inner surface 20 of the garment 11. As best seen in FIGURE 2 in the drawing, the length of the third strap element 16 is but slightly greater than the width of the trouser-enclosing element 15.

Referring to FIGURE 2, when in stored condition, the snap fastener 54 is engaged with the fastener 22, causing the elements 14 and 15 to lie in generally parallel relation along the inner surface of the garment 11. As best seen in FIGURE 4, the position of the second strap element 14 may be adjusted with respect to the first strap element 13 to accommodate for excess length of the second strap element 14 with respect to the trouserenclosing element 15. When it is desired to use the elements 15, the above-mentioned snap fasteners are parted, allowing the elements 15 to pivot about their lower edges 46 to the position shown in FiGURE 3. After completion of use, if the elements 15 are damp or wet, they may be detached from the garment 11 by disconnecting the snap fasteners 32 and 28, whereby the elements may be hung up to dry prior to returning the same to the condition shown in FIGURE 2.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 1.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the elimination of the third strap element 16 of the first embodiment, and the modification of the first strap element 113 to permit the same to be attached to the belt 113a of a wearer and the forming of stiffening members 149 and 150 as segments. As the third strap element is eliminated to permit easy folding along predetermined lines, the folded element 115 is preferably encased in a flat envelope 200 or similar encasing device which may include optional pin means 201 permitting the folded device to be mounted on the inner surface of the coat 111 of the wearer.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in trouser leg protectors, in which there has been provided a relatively stiff pre-creased trouser-enclosing element which may be supported in planar condition within the confines of a garment, and which may be dropped to trouser-engaging position by merely allowing the same to pivot about the uppermost edges thereof. The wet or soiled portions of the device may be detached from the garment, where desired, While leaving a means for permanent installation still connected to the inner surface of the garment. The trouser-engaging element is provided with stiffening means which permits the same to present an acceptable appearance upon the wearer, and to preserve the natural creases in the trousers disposed therewithin. The device may be manufactured from a variety of suitable materials, depending upon availability and cost, and with resort only to techniques known and existing in the art. In a second embodiment of the invention, quick and easy attachment and detachment from the garment is obtained by the means of a belt loop on the upper end of the trouser-enclosing element, and easy folding is possible along pre-creased lines formed by segmented stiffening means.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a trouser leg protector, for use in conjunction with a coat-type garment, a first strap element including a first strap member having an upper end interconnected to said garment and a lower end having selective interconnecting means thereon, and a second strap member having an upper end slidably interconnected to said first strap member and a lower end having selective interconnecting means thereon; a second strap element having means selectively engageable with said second strap member of said first strap element, said second strap element having a plurality of strap members each having a lower end thereof; a trouser-enclosing element of generally sleeve-like configuration including inner and outer planar panels, and being bounded by upper, lower, forward and rearward edges; said lower ends of said plurality of strap members of said second strap element being interconnected to said upper edges of said trouser-enclosing element; said trouser-enclosing element having thereon at the lower edges thereof interconnecting means selectively engageable with said interconnecting means on said lower end of said first strap member of said first strap element.

2. In a trouser leg protector, for use in conjunction with a coat-type garment, a first strap element including a first strap member having an upper end interconnected to said garment and a lower end having selective interconnecting means thereon, and a second strap member having an upper end slidably interconnected to said first strap member and a lower end having selective interconnecting means thereon; a second strap element having means selectively engageable with said second strap member of said first strap element, said second strap element having a plurality of strap members each having a lower end thereof; a trouser-encasing element of generally sleeve-like configuration including inner and outer planar panels, and being bounded by upper, lower, forward and rearward edges; said lower ends of said plurality of strap members of said second strap element being interconnected to said upper edges of said trouser-enclosing element; said trouserenclosing element having thereon at the lower edges thereof interconnecting means selectively engageable with said interconnecting means on said lower end of said first strap member of said first strap element; and a third strap element, having first and second ends interconnected to said garment beneath said first strap element in generally horizontal disposition.

3. In a trouser leg protector, a trouser-encasing element of generally sleeve-like configuration, including inner and outer planar panels, and being bounded by upper, lower, forward and rearward edges, first strap means connected at one end thereof with a first portion of said upper edge of said trouser-encasing element; second strap means interconnected with a pair of portions of said lower edges of said trouser-encasing element; said upper,

lower forward and rearward edges including a plurality of segmented stifiening portions, the ends of which define predetermined pluralities of fold lines in both said inner and outer planar panels, whereby said trouser-encasing element, upon being reduced to flattened condition in which said inner and outer planar panels and said predetermined fold lines are in laminar juxtaposed relation, may be folded a plurality of times about said predetermined fold lines to reduce the area of said trouser-encasing element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 875,555 Rosenwasser Dec. 31, 1907 921,435 Miller May 151, 1909 1,031,719 Kurz et al. July 9, 1912 1,459,641 Topfner June 19, 1923 2,906,038 Kent Sept. 29, 19-59 FOREIGN PATENTS 42,228 Netherlands Dec. 15, 1937 370,341 Great Britain Apr. 7, 1932 468,957 Great Britain July 15, 1937 

